Rayman Returns: A Thoughtful 30th Anniversary Revival on the ModRetro Chromatic
The limbless hero makes a triumphant return on ModRetro's modern handheld with stunning visual upgrades and quality-of-life improvements.
Rayman’s return to handheld form has arrived, and this time it lands on the ModRetro Chromatic with a sense of celebration rather than simple nostalgia. Marking the character’s 30th anniversary, this release revisits the Game Boy Colour classic but presents it in a way that feels considered, carefully restored, and genuinely enjoyable in a modern setting.
For those unfamiliar with the Chromatic, it’s a contemporary handheld built to play Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles as they were – only with the benefit of a bright, crisp display and a well-made form factor. Rayman takes full advantage of that. The original graphics, already impressive for the era, come alive with striking clarity here: the colours hold strong from every angle, and backgrounds feel more layered and expressive than on the original hardware.
ModRetro hasn’t simply reissued the cartridge and called it done; the game includes a refreshed soundtrack and an automatic password system that removes the old headache of jotting down long codes between sessions. These touches subtly improve play without altering the pacing or platforming that made Rayman a standout title to begin with.
The physical release is very much part of the appeal. The purple cartridge, printed manual, and collectible charm echo the ritual of buying a new game two decades ago – back when the unboxing was an event in itself. The manual is particularly welcome: it provides level context, character details, and move explanations in a way digital re-releases rarely bother with today. It’s a reminder that part of the joy of older games came from poring over the booklet before you even powered on the console.
One charming feature returns in this edition too: the Ubi Key, which allows two Chromatic users to unlock a bonus stage using infrared communication. It’s an idea from a different era of handheld play, and its inclusion here feels delightfully earnest rather than gimmicky.
Priced at £44.99 ($44.99 / €49.99), this isn’t positioned as a budget reprint, but as a curated revival. And that feels right. The Chromatic version respects the original game’s identity while presenting it in a way that makes sense for players today. It’s less about replacing the past and more about giving it room to breathe again.
ModRetro has suggested that this marks the beginning of an ongoing collaboration with Ubisoft, and if future releases receive the same level of attention, there’s reason to be excited. Ubisoft’s handheld history is broader than many remember, and seeing those titles thoughtfully rebuilt for modern hardware would be a win for preservation and playability alike.
Rayman’s 30th anniversary outing on the Chromatic isn’t about chasing nostalgia for its own sake. It’s about revisiting a classic platformer with the respect it deserves and letting players old and new enjoy it as though it were fresh again.
